Talks about a single ice hockey league have started, with the aim of getting a structure in place for next season.

The International Ice Hockey Federation has been involved in discussions that have brought Coventry Blaze?s Elite Ice Hockey League together with the Findus British National League and Ice Hockey UK, the sport?s governing body.

The IIHF was forced to step in after a summer of political wrangling that caused much argument and resolved little.

An IHUK statement said: ?A further series of meetings will begin in mid-November with all the EIHL and FBNL clubs getting together to discuss the formation of one league for the season 2004/2005.

Injury

The IIHF will again be in the country to assist the leagues and Ice Hockey UK with these meetings.?

Blaze have just one game this weekend, against rivals Cardiff Devils when coach Paul Thompson will be looking for a morale-boosting victory

And they will be welcoming some new and old faces to the Skydome on Sunday.

Many players from last year?s Devils side have re-signed, but Russ Romaniuk has a back injury.

If a work permit can be arranged in time, Jeff Ulmer, a winger who was playing NHL hockey for New York Rangers in 2000-01, will fill his spot.

New forward Dennis Maxwell will be banned after picking up a two game ban for high sticks.

But former Dundee defenceman Chris Conaboy has been picked up by the Devils and will make his debut for the Welsh side on Sunday.

o Manchester Phoenix are to release defenceman Russ Richardson after he decided that he could not combine playing with his university studies.

o Belfast Giants drew 3-3 with Nottingham Panthers last night. Sean Berens, a former Superleague top scorer, got a goal and assist on his return to the club as Giants took a 2-0 lead, but Panthers fought back for the point.